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Just before I moved to the Bay Area in February, I had one of my former co-workers at the nail salon in Hawaii treat me by doing my nails for me. This was the last time I had serious claws. We went all out!

I had selected several nail designs I liked, and used them as inspiration. I’m really into aliens and super natural. I think alien shapes and images make for cool designs– clothes or nails. Eyes & Evil Eyes I am obsessed with! I even have an evil eye bracelet tattooed on my wrist, I have Evil Eye jewelry, & I’m always thinking about what “eye” things I can get. I’m also totally & beyond into triangles. They are definitely my favorite shape. Gold is my favorite metal color, and I just loved the pink & purple colors of the 3D cone shaped stones. They were perfect with monochrome color scheme I went with.
Shadé did such an amazing job on my nails!

This nail set was a natural nail overlay using CalGel and Trump Gel.

These nails don’t necessarily have an obvious theme, except monochrome, lines & outlines. Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match and flirt with the “weird”.

It’s been a while! 2014 was a crazy one! I moved to CA and am starting everything from scratch. I haven’t been doing nails at all! Terrible– I know! But I finally got around to doing it just in time for Christmas.

If you noticed, my nails are short! My claws have been filed down to little shorties since June! It’s crazy but with my new job, it’s just impossible to keep my beautiful class intact.

This design was created using CalGel and Trump Gel. This nail set is a natural nail gel overlay. Gold & clear iridescent glitters with different sized gold hexagon Splash! brand holograms.

Over the past few days, I have gotten requests for the same nail art at the salon by numerous people.

It’s a very cool summer-y look and the colors can work for Fourth of July. Maybe that’s the reason for its sudden popularity.

It’s a cute way to jazz up a simple design. These were all done with just regular polish.

I used O.P.I. white for the base, then painted just the tips with China Glaze blue glitter (I forgot the name of the color. But I am tempted to say it was Meteor Shower). I drew the heart with red acrylic paint then filled it in with Eriko Nails red holograms.

Again, I used O.P.I. white for the base with the hearts. The red is O.P.I.“Big Apple Red” and silver is from China Glaze. The hearts were created the same way.

O.P.I. white & “Big Apple Red”.

This design can have the inverted colors using white or silver holograms for the heart with a red base and still really pop. Other color combos would be fun, too.

I am used to doing pedicures with art using just polish, but it’s rare I do manicures with polish art, so this was fun. I usually work mostly with gels. But it’s nice to work with polish on occasion. Really tests your skills. (Though this one wasn’t very hard to do at all).

Sometimes we get so wrapped up with crazy art, we forget about the classic looks.
Simple is sweet. And simple is in.

Girly- girl look is easy to do, easy to work with, and you will never get bored. This type of style doesn’t mean you have to choose colors like pink or lavender. It can be a range of pastels– even white.
Of course, you can create girly designs like floral and dots. But you can make girly out of a simple deep french using a soft color and glitter or hologram to line it.

Today, I was lucky to do a new set for a sweet college student. It was her very first gel nails! She was a sweet girly-girl. So, she picked a really soft pastel pink, and a pearly white hologram in big and small sizes to line the deep French.
The design was very simple, but fresh and clean. A cute look.

I spent both NYE and the first working at the salon. I have no complaints about it, I love doing nails and both days were fairly busy.

I did many silver, gold, black, and navy nails. Lots of glitter gradations and even fashion frenches.

Here are some of my favorites that I did on New Year’s Day.
I chose these to post because they are simple, yet unique. They aren’t quite the same glitzy-glam level as the typical new year’s nail designs.

This pedicure was done using O.P.I. nail polish and Eriko holograms. It’s a pink-beige base with dark pink and silver AB holograms.

A natural nail gel overlay done using Trump Gel. An almost neon pink gradation and a champagne gold glitter “party nail”. One clear Swarovski crystal stone at the base of each nail for accent. It was her first time getting gel nails!

Another natural nail gel overlay done using Trump Gel. I mentioned Ms. N in previous posts. This is her newest choice of design. It is 2 types of green and white marble. Mint and jade greens. And we used Swarovski crystals in blue, clear, and silk.

It’s been a really long while since my last post. I’m so sorry. It’s been a crazy end of the month, as in sure it has been for everyone.

Anyway, today, I had the pleasure of doing two nail sets back-to-back, for two very gorgeous & special sisters!

One of my besties is back from SF to visit again, and today I did her nails and her not-so-little-anymore little sister’s nails also. Last time she came, I did the Dripping Hearts design.
Today…well…she was slightly more ADD. But it turned out super fun and really cool!

Her sister planned it out more and had an underlying color scheme: blue, gold, black & white. Mega edgy yet glitzy.

I had so much fun with these girls. And it’s great when I have so much freedom with the art.

They both gave me a quick sketch of what they were thinking and then we worked around it. Making some changes along the way, too.

With the winter season approaching, I have noticed that one of the more popular nail design theme is monochrome. Black and white, complimented with metallics like gold and silver is becoming to be the popular trend this season.

Monochrome is a great way to look classic, fresh, and edgy all at the same time. Adding a splash of color– like red, or sparkle with gold or silver glitter/hologram/stones can really enhance the look.

Another plus to black and white themed nails is that it matches just about anything. While you nails never have to match your clothes, it is nice knowing that your nail design/color won’t clash with any jewelry or outfit.

Just like a classic black and white photo can make a really strong statement, so can monochrome nails. Beautiful colors are always appreciated, but an occasional black and white affair will surely be a show stopper. From girly, to classy, to mod, to chic, to edgy, to classical, the monochrome nail trend is a sure way to turn heads this winter season. This pedicure is done using polish. It is a pearly white gradation with hand painted angel wings and halo. A natural nail gel overlay using Trump Gel (M001 & M901). Lace stickers, and black & iridescent white Eriko holograms. Pedicure done using polish. Hand painted nail design. Added a touch of red as the pop color to emphasize, yet break up, the monochrome color theme.

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, Texture & Prints, textured nails are currently in. Though I love the tweed and plaid, I have been really obsessed with sponging. It’s a great alternative to marble and is effortlessly cool. Not to mention, it is fairly easy to achieve. All you need is a good textured sponge, and the right amount of paint.

I recently decided to cut all my nails down short and start from scratch. I had ripped 3 nails, so I decided to start over. My claws are now short, so I decided to do them all black and sponged on pink & grey on my left hand; and sponged green & grey on my right hand.

Natural nail gel overlay with CalGel (color #04). I used Eriko glitter & holograms for the gold nails, and I also used gold studs. The pink, grey, & green sponging is done using acrylic paint.

I just had the pleasure of meeting a new client the other day. She and I have very similar personalities in terms of independence, strength, and boldness. We also shared similar taste in nail designs. She is edgy and cool, and though she might like girly designs, seems to have a hard time pulling it off.
She came in the other night and decided to use neutral colors: black, white, and gold. We did natural nail gel overlays for both her pedicure and her manicure.

I used Trump Gel (M001 & M901), black & white acrylic paint for the sponging. We used some gold Eriko glitter and holograms, and we used square and round gold studs. We got a bit more funky with the toes.

We used the same color gel for her hands, but instead of the half black/half white nail, we decided to do only a couple black nails and the rest white. Since gel enhancements last for a while, we decided to go with a deep French instead of the whole nail one color, so the new growth won’t be too noticeable. On her right hand ring finger, I made a cross using square gold studs. And on the right hand pointer finger, I placed 3 stones to build 3D stones (grey & clear).

I had so much fun working on this gel pedicure and gel manicure new sets! This look is so perfect for the season coming forth. Plus it’s edgy, cool, and chic.
Try out your sponging with all sorts of color combos for a fun and effortlessly cool look.

So…I’m supposed to be studying for my LSAT (which is in like…3 weeks)…but all I can think about is nail designs. Eek!

I have a very special “client” who has asked me to get her nail game on point. She is one of my best friends since childhood, and she made a surprise visit back home to Hawaii from San Francisco for two weeks. So, of course I am going to go all out and give her exactly what she wants!

Nails I did for her last time she was in Hawaii. Lavender purple color gradation with clear glitter over. Skull & lightning bolt charms. I used CalGel (mixed #06 & #01). The glitter was Eriko #001.

And on top of that, I have to go back in to the salon in a couple days (I took the entire month off to study), for a day, to meet the needs of some regulars who apparently, will just die. Ha! Nail junkies, I tell you. I love it. And I appreciate their fierce loyalty.

I don’t know if many people take the time to do this, but if I know ahead of time that I will be doing a new set, I like to sketch out the design(s). It is easier to visualize the end result– not to mention it is a great road map to use when you have finally decided to get started. I will do this for some of my more “difficult” clients who regularly come in and ask for the “just surprise me” option. But I usually do this, mostly, for my own nails. Because I found that the part about doing my own nails that takes so long is the deciding of the design. If I sketch it out, at least I have a guideline to follow.

My nautical spring nail set I did back in May, based on some sketches. This is a natural nail overlay using CalGel.

Summer leopard I did for myself. Again, natural nail overlay using the soft gel, CalGel (mixed #46 & #01 for the nudey color, & used #04 for the black– no pigment). I drew the leopard print with the gel to give it a less defined, and more blurred look.

Some design ideas I had for one of my regulars back in 2011.

All of these really helped me move quickly and figure out what exactly I wanted to do. Not only that, but once I got the ideas out, I could focus my energy on the best and fastest way to executing these designs.

While taking my “study break,” I decided to sketch up some ideas for my biffer’s nails. She gave me a color palate, a theme, and sent me some photos she liked. So, at least I wasn’t in the total dark. What I came up with:

What do you guys think? Which one is a your favorite? Any suggestions? I wonder which one we will end up doing…
Definitely will post photos of the final nail set!

Ok, back to the studies. Thanks for visiting.
And remember to keep your claws modish!

Every nail set has a story // occasion // meaning behind it. It may be a themed party, a special trip, a wedding, or an expression of things you love. That’s what makes nails so special and fun!

Luckily, I have been blessed to have some of the funkiest most eccentric, and most creatively open regular clients, and I have gotten to do some crazy cool character nail designs. Some of the recent requests I have gotten were: Dr. Seuss themed kid’s birthday party, Mickey & Minnie themed nails for a trip to Disney World, Minions from the movie Despicable Me and something animal related for a woman who works at the zoo. Here are the nail sets I came up with for these specific requests:

These are natural nail overlay gel nails. I used CalGel soft gel and LeChat glitter for the gradation. I created the 3D art of the Dr. Seuss hat, bow, Thing 1 & 2 from scratch with acrylic.

Another natural nail overlay. The soft gel is Trump Gel (a new totally awesome awesome soft AND hard gel brand recently launched by a Japanese company). I believe the glitter I used for the gradation was the brand, Purnelle and the black glitter was the brand, Eriko. I created the 3D Mickey & Minnie, glove, and bow from scratch with acrylic. The bow on Minnie is a sticker.

This is just plain nail polish and acrylic paint. Good ole’ flat art. Both yellow & blue polishes are China Glaze

Natural nail overlay with Trump Gel. I have seen a few animal nails done in a French nail type before, and got my inspiration based on that. This was one of those I had to think up of on-the-spot. It was so much fun!

Aside from specific character nails (3D and/or flat art), I have found that using “Wiggley Eyes” as a deco part, in Japan, has been one of the hottest trends. So, I sought out for some Wiggley eyes of my own. I found a variety pack at Walmart, but I probably could have found even smaller-sized ones at a craft store. Anyway, I was so excited to use these Wiggley eyes, I couldn’t do anything without thinking of characters perfect for them. I had my doubts about durability, but they apparently have withstood Zumba twice a week for over six weeks!
I have only used them on pedicures with regular nail polish; not gel.
1. I applied top coat over the finished polish.
2. Then, I put some nail glue directly on the back of the eyes.
3. Place where you like on the nail.
4. Press down firmly and hold it in place so it does not slide around.
5. Then, for assurance, I reapplied glue over the eyes and around the edges.
6. I let it dry for a few minutes, then applied top coat.
Here are the first two “Wiggley eye” nail designs I have done:

Pedi done all with polish. I cannot recall which ones exactly, but they were mostly China Glaze, plus…WIGGLEY EYES!! I drew the rest of the design with acrylic paint.

Cookie Monster from Sesame Street! O.P.I., acrylic paint for the chocolate chips, and I made the 3D cookies and the crumbs with acrylic powder.

My “Wiggley Eyes” collection. The variety pack came with some huge ones!

It is always such a great experience when you can step out of the box and be creative with your nail art. I am so grateful for these clients that have allowed me to do cool character nails. I hope you guys have enjoyed them as much as my clients and I have.

What type of fun character nails should I attempt next? What are your favorites or neatest creations? Don’t be afraid to be bold and try out something outrageous– especially pedicures! You’ll be surprised on how many compliments you will get.